Well tool



Aug. 15, 19319.y

O. A. BROWN WELL TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet l @LSH/brag Filed April 5.

7 53M mm #Mw uw v 0 m O. A` BROWN WELL TOOL Aug. 15, 1939.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 WELL TOOL O. A BROWN Filed April 5, 1958 Aug. 15, 1939.

Patented Aug. 15, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL TOOL Application April 5, 1938, Serial No. 209,107

13 Claims.

This invention relates to equipment and tools useful in wells and relates more particularly to a tool useful in cutting tubular objects in wells and for removing the freed or cut-off portions of such objects from the wells. A general object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character referred to that is efficient and dependable in operation and that may be operated without danger of becoming caught in the well.

In well drilling and producing operations it is often necessary to remove a pipe, tubing, casing and the like from a well. In many instances a tubular object of the character referred to becomes caught or sanded in the well, making it impossible to remove the same bodily or as a unit. When this occurs it is necessary to cut free an upper portion of the caught tubular object, removing the said freed upper portion from the well and repeat these operations until the entire object has been recovered from the well. In carrying out this procedure it has usually been necessary to iirst run in a casing cutter to make a cut in the tubular object, then remove the casing cutter from the well and run in a spear or the like to grip the cut free portion of the object and then pull the spear and the freed portion of the object from the well. These successive round trips of the cutter and spear into and out of the well on a sectional operating string of great length that is assembled and taken apart for each run are very time consuming and therefore expensive.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool that is operable to cut free a portion of a tubular object in a well and then grip or engage the cut free portion for removal from the well whereby the cutting operation, the grappling operation and the removing operation may be carried out during a single round trip of the operating string carrying the tool.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned which is to be run into a Well on an operating string and that is operable to cut free and then engage and support a plurality of sections of a tubular object in the well to recover said plurality of sections during a single trip of the operating string and the tool into and out of the Well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned that is controllabie to be released from the caught object at will and therefore cannot be caught or stuck in the tubular object in the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character mentioned that embodies means for effecting the positive connection of the control elements of body the cutting means and the object gripping means with the operating string whereby the cutting means and the grip- 5 ping means are under the full control of the operator at all times.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character referred to that is easy to operate, being readily controlled from l0 the top of the well by simple manipulation of the operating string.

The Various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred l form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the tool provided by this invention showing the same being run 20 into a tubular object in a typical well. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the gripping means of the tool showing a portion of the connecting means in longitudinal cross section and illustrating the parts in a normal or released condition. 25 Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the lower portion of the connecting means. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the cutting means of the tool in operation in a tubular object illustrating the tubular object 3U and the tailpiece in longitudinal cross section. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5 5 on Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the upper portion of the connecting means with 35 the outer sleeve member removed. Fig. '7 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 'l-l on Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the tool in position in a tubular object showing the gripping elements of 40 both the cutting means and the gripping means actuated. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the connecting means full contracted. Fig. l0 is a View similar to Fig. 9 showing the gripping elements of the gripping means fully re- 45 tracted. Fig. ll is a side elevation of the mandrel of the connecting means removed from the tool. Fig. l2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the clutch elements removed from the tool and Fig. 13 is a longitudinal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line l3-l3 on Fig. 4. l

The well tool provided by the present invention includes, generally, a cutting assembly or cutting means Il! operable to cut through the Wall of a tubular object O in a well W, gripping 55 means II connected with an operating string S and operable to grip and support a cut free portion of the object O, and means I2 connecting the cutting means I Il and the gripping means II whereby the same may be individually controlled and manipulated by the operating string S.

The cutting means I0 is provided to make an annular cut through the wall of the object O to free or cut loose a portion of the object for removal from the well W. The cutting means I0 is connected with the operating string S through the medium of the connecting means I2 and the gripping means II to be supported and operated by the string. While the cutting means embodied in the tool may be varied somewhat 'without departing from the invention, it is preferred to employ type of cutting means that is adapted to enter the tubular object O and that is operable to cut out through the wall of the tubular object. In the drawings I have shown a form of cutting means I0 that is controlled by movement or manipulation of the string S and that is operated by rotation of the string S to cut outwardly through the wall of the tubular object O.

The cutting means IU illustrated in the drawings includes an elongate tubular body I3 provided at its lower end with a guide nut I4. A sub or coupling member I5 is provided on the upper end of the body I3. A collar I6 is Xed. to the body I3 and spaced knives II are pivoted in slots in the collar I6. A cage I8 is slidable or movable with respect to the body I3 and has slots I9 through which the knives II project. A sleeve 2@ is slidable on the body I3 and extends downwardly over the collar I5 to normally or initially cooperate with the knives I'I to hold the same retracted. The lower end of the sleeve 2U engages against the upper end of the cage I8. A spring 2l surrounds the body I3 and is under compression between the coupling member I5 and the sleeve 20 to yieldingly hold the sleeve 2D in its down position in cooperation with the knives Il'. A fluid passage 9 extends longitudinally through the body I3.

The control for the knives I1 of the cutting means I0 includes a slip assembly. The slip assembly comprises a sleeve 22 shiftable on the body I3 and circumferentially spaced slips 23 cooperating with the sleeve. The sleeve 22 has downwardly and inwardly inclined surfaces 24 and the slips 23 cooperate with these surfaces. A suitable anti-friction thrust bearing 25 surrounds the body I3 between the upper end of the sleeve 22 and the lower end of the cage I8. Reins 26 extend downwardly from the slips 23 and are secured to a shiftable ring 2l surrounding the body I3.

A tailpiece controls the slips 23. The tailpiece comprises a tubular shell or sleeve 28 on the body I3 and outwardly bowed leaf springs 29 on the sleeve 28 for frictionally cooperating with the interior of the tubular object O. The upper end of the tailpiece sleeve 28 cooperates with the ring 21 associated with the slips 23. A socket 30 is provided in the lower end of the sleeve 28 and a complementary boss 3l is provided on the upper end of the nut I4. The boss 3I is initially or normally threaded in the socket 3D to releasably hold the tailpiece sleeve 28 in a down position with respect to the body I3 so that the slips 23 are released or inoperative. Helical faces 32 and axial shoulders 33 are provided on the nut I4 and the lower end of the sleeve 28 to limit the threading of the boss 3I into the socket 30 so that the boss is always readily unthreaded from the socket.

The operation of the cutting means I3 described above is as follows. Assuming that the cutting means IE is in a position in the tubular object O where a cut is to be made the body I3 is first rotated to the right by means of the string S as will be subsequently described. This rotation of the body i3 unthreads the boss 3I from the socket 3i?. The springs 29 cooperating with the object O resist turning movement of the sleeve 28 during the unthreading of the boss 3| from the socket 3F). Following the threading of the boss SI from the socket Sil the body I3 is moved downwardly. The springs 29 cooperating with the object O resist downward movement oi the sleeve 28 and as the ring 2l' engages against the upper end of the sleeve 28 the slips 23 are held against downward movement. The downwardly moving inclined surfaces 24 of the sleeve 22 actuate the slips 23 or force them outwardly into gripping cooperation with the interior of the object O. Continued downward movement of the body I3 after the setting of the slips 23 results in downward movement of the collar I5 and the knives I'I relative to the cage i3, the cage being held against such movement by the slips 23 through the medium of the bearing 25 and the sleeve 22. The knives Il moving downwardly relative to the cage I8 are pivoted outwardly through, cooperation with the slots I9 and thus come into cutting cooperation with the internal surfaces or the object O. The body I3 is rotated while the knives Il are fed outwardly so that the knives Il make an annular cut C through the wall of the tubular object O. When the knives I1 have cut through the wall of the tubular object O the body I3 revolves with less resistance, indicating to the operator that the cut C has been completed. The body I3 is then raised to retract the knives Il and the slips 23 and to bring the boss 3| to the socket 33. The body I3 is then turned to the left to thread the boss 3l into the socket 30. The cutting means I8 is then in a retracted or inoperative condition ready to be shifted or relocated for another cutting operation.

The gripping means l! is provided to grip and support the object O or cut free portions of the object O so that the may be withdrawn from the well W on the string S. The inc-ans i 9 is carried by the string S and is preferably of a type that is adapted to enter the object O and to grip outwardly against its interior. The form of gripping means II illustrated in the drawings includes an elongate body 35. rlhe upper end of the body 33 is connected with the lower end of the string S by a suitable tool joint 3l, or the like. An enlargement or head provided on the upper portion of the body 35.5 and has spaced longitudinal series of downwardly and outwardly inclined faces 39. Slips 49 arc shitable on the faces 39 and are operable thereby to grip outwardly against the interior of the object O. The slips 40 are toothed to be erlective in transmitting lifting forces to the object O.

Dove-tailed stems 4I are provided on the upper ends of the slips 40 and are slidable in dove-tailed grooves 42 in the head 38. Dove-tailed lingers 43 are provided on the lower ends of the slips I0 and slide in correspondingly shaped grooves 44 in the head 38. A ring [I5 is shiftable on the body 36 below its head 38 and the fingers 43 have inverted T heads 46 cooperating with correspondingly shaped openings 4l in the ring 45. The heads 45 cooperating with the openings Gl connect the several slips 40 with the ring i5 so that movement of the ring results in movement of the slips along the inclined faces 39.

The gripping means il includes a` tailpiece for controlling the slips 49. This tailpiece includes a sleeve 58 ehiftable and slidable on the body S5. Outwardly bowed springs i9 are carried by the sleeve 48 and are adapted to frictionally cooper ate with the internal surface oi the object O to resist movement oi' the sleeve 4S. Steeply pitched double threads ES are out in the lower portion of the body 3E and the lower part of the tailpiece sleeve d8 has nturned lugs 5I cooperating with the threads 50. The threads S are such that turning of the body 3S to the left relative to the sleeve 48 causes the lugs 5i to move the tailpiece sleeve 48 downwardly with respect to the body 36. The threads 5!) are sufficiently steep so that the lugs 5I may be moved through or caused to thread through the threads by axial movement of the body 36 when its tailpiece is in cooperation with the object O. The threads 5l? terminate at their upper ends at flat upper walls 5g and the threads are provided with substantially horizontal upwardly facing lower walls or shoulders 53 spaced below the walls 52. When the slips 40 are in the retracted positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the lugs 5I seat on the shoulders 53. Short rounded projections 54 are provided at the shoulders 53 to normally retain the lugs 5I in cooperation with the shoulders. The body 3S is provided with a central longitudinal opening 55 which communicates with the lower end of the string S and which extends downwardly to the lower end of the body.

The operation of the gripping means ll is as follows. Assuming that the slips lil are retracted and that the means Il is within the object O in the well, the means il may be operated to grip the object by lowering the string S a short distance and then turning the string to the left. The downward movement of the body 36 moves the projections 5i out of the paths of the lugs 5l and the rotation of the body 36 to the left causes the lugs to thread or spiral down the threads 5D. The dofwnt-threading of the lugs 5i in the threads 5i! is accompanied by downward movement of the sleeve ,i8 and the slips 4i). Ii desired the body 36 may be turned to the lelt and moved upwardly or may be moved upwardly without being turned to the left to efect the down-threading of the lugs 5I through the threads 5i? as just described. It will be understood that the above-mentioned movements may be imparted to the body by means or the string S extending to the ground surface. Downward threading of the lugs 5| in or through the threads 50 as described above moves the slips it downwardly on the inclined faces 39 and the faces 39 force the slips outwardly into gripping cooperation with the interior of the object O. An uppull may then be put on the body 36 through the medium of the string S and this up-pull is transmitted to the object O by the slips 4B so that the object O or a freed portion of the same may be raised or removed from the well W.

The means l I may be released from the object O when in the well by turning thebody 36 to the right or by moving the body 33 downwardly, or both. Either or both or these movements cause the lugs 5I to thread or move upwardly through the threads 5i! so that the sleeve 43 shifts upwardly relative to the body 35. This upward movement of the sleeve i3 with respect to the body 36 is accompanied by upward movement of the slips 4!) on the inclined faces 38 and the resultant retraction of the slips.

The means I2 for connecting the cutting means I and the gripping means Il is such that the means iii and 5I may be advantageously and successfully operated and controlled independently while in the well to carry out the desired cutting operations and the desired removal of the object O or portions oi the object O. The means E2 is interposed between and connects the bodies lli and 36 respectively, of the means I!) and Il. In the preferred construction illustrated the means l2 includes an elongate mandrel 55 connected with the lower end of the body 35 by a threaded connection 5l. The mandrel 5S has a central longitudinal opening 58 extending through it from one end to the other for conducting the circulation fluid downwardly from the opening 55.

A cylinder or tube 59 is connected with the upper end of the body I3 of the cutting means Ill. In practice elongate section 66 of pipe or jointed pipe, or the like, connects the upper end of the body i3 with the lower end of the tube 59. The section *5G may be oi substantial length so that the means lli is spaced some distance below the means il. A suitable coupling member 6I may connect the lower end of the section 6B with the coupling member I5 on the body I3. A sub or connecting member E2 on the upper end of the section @il may be threaded in the lower portion of the tube 59 to connect the section Sli with the tube. A tubular plug or guide 63 is threaded in the upper` end portion of the tube 59. The mandrel 55 passes downwardly through the opening 64 in the guide 53 to extend into the tube 59. A piston 65 provided with a suitable packing means is provided on the lower end of the mandrel E5 to operate in the tube 59. Thus the mandrel 5G is guided in the tube 59 at two spaced points or zones, namely at the guide opening @a and at the piston 65. rThe upper end of the piston 65 is cooperable with the lower end of the guide E33 to limit upward movement of the mandrel relative to the tube 5e.

Spaced grooves Se are provided in the wall of the guide opening til and splines El are provided on the lower portion of the mandrel 55 to cooperate with the grooves. The splines 6l may be short with respect to the mandrel 55 to cooperate with the grooves $6 when the mandrel is in a position where its piston 65 is at or adjacent the lower end of the guide. The splines 6l are entirely received in the grooves iid when the piston F55 is in its uppermost position shown in Fig. 3. The upper ends of the splines t? are rounded or aevelled to readily enter the lower ends of the grooves 523. ln the construction illustrated in the drawings the splines 61 have some clearance in the grooves 5 so that fluid may flow through the grooves during movement of the mandrel 56 relative to the tube 59. The opening 58 of the mandrel 55 discharges into the tube 59 and the tube 5? communicates with the pipe 6B through the connecting member 62 so that fluid is delivered to the passage 9 in the body I3 of the cutting means II).

The connecting means I2 includes clutch parts associated with the mandrel 55 and the tube 55 for the transmission of rotation from the mandrel to the cutting means le when the mandrel is in its down or lowermost position with respect to the tube 59, and clutch parts associated with the tailpiece sleeve 48 and the tube 59 to hold said sleeve from turning when the gripping slips 23 of the means IU are set and the string S is turned for the purpose of retracting the gripping slips 4G of the means II.

The connecting means I2 includes an enlargement er head 68 on the upper end of the mandrel 56. 'l'he head B8 may be cylindrical and its upper end may Close the lower ends of the threads 50. The lower end of the head 68 is provided with clutch parts. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings two diametrically opposite notches 69 are provided in the lower end of the head 53. The wall of each notch 69 deines an axial shoulder 'itl facing forwardly relative to the right hand direction of rotation and a slopn ing face il extending from the end of the head 38 upwardly to a point adjacent the base or upper end of the shoulder "f,

The means I2 further includes clutch lugs 'I on the upper end of lthe guide 63 for cooperating with the notches $9. The lugs have vertical or axial shoulders 'I3 facing rearwardly relative to the right hand direction of rotation and have sloping forwardly facing edges lll. The notches t9 and the lugs 'i2 are related so that the lugs are receivable in the notches to bring the shoulde TS and 'F3 into cooperation. When the mandrel 55 is brought to its lowermost position with respect to the tube 55 and turned to the right the notches 69 receive the lugs 'Iii and the shoulders I0 and 'I3 engage for the transmission oi forward or right hand rotation from the mandrel 55 to the tube 53. With the notches (i9 and the lugs 'I2 in cooperation as just described, the lower end of the head may cooperate with the upper end of the guide E3 for the transmission or downward forces from the mandrel 56 to the guide G3 and tube 59. In the preferred construction the lugs l2 are of such width or thickness that their shoulders "i3 extend outwardly beyond the peripheral surface ol` the head @il when the lugs are received in the notches E9 as described above.

The connecting means I2 includes clutch parts associated with the tailpiece sleeve 4t of the means Il for cooperating with the clutch parts or lugs "i2, A tube or sleeve is connected with the sleeve 48 to form an extension on the lower end of the sleeve. rihe sleeve 'i5 surrounds and is shiftable and turnable with respect to the mandrel head G3. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings a collar 'l is iixed to the lower part of the tailpiece sleeve i5 to retain the lower ends of `the springs "IS in place. The invention provides a secure normally non-rotatable and readily adjustable connection between the collar "i6 and the sleeve l5. The lower end of the collar 'I6 and the upper end of the sleeve 'I5 have cooperating teeth il. A. downwardly facing external annular shoulder 'i8 is provided on 'the sleeve I6. A tube 'I is threaded on the collar 'i8 and extends downwardly around the sleeve lli. An internal upwardly facing shoulder Si! is provided on the tube 'I9 to cooperate with the shoulder 78. When the sleeve l5 has been set in the desired rotative position the tube 'IS is 'threaded upwardly so that its shoulder 8@ cooperates with the shoulder "I3 to hold the teeth 'IT in cooperation and thus lock the tube in place. Set screws BI may be employed to hold the tube "i5 against unthreading. The sleeve 'I5 extends downwardly beyond the lower end of the tube l5.

Two diametrically opposite notches 82 are provided in the lower end of the sleeve 'i5 to receive or cooperate with the clutch lugs "i2, The notches 82 have vertical or axial walls B3 facing forwardly to cooperate with the shoulders 'I3 and have sloping walls 84 extending upwardly from the lower end of the sleeve 'I5 to points adjacent the upper ends of the walls 63. The sleeve T5 is set or adjusted to a rotative position where the said walls 83 are in registration with the shoulders ill of the mandrel head G8 when the slips da of the gripping means I I are in their fully retracted positions. The sleeve 'l5 surrounds the head 6o so that its walls 83 are cooperable with the outer portions of the shoulders 'I3 of the lugs 12.

It will be observed that the means I2 described above constitutes a slack connection between the cutting means I0 and the gripping means II and that the connecting means I2 is operable to transmit upward movement and rotation when in a fully extended condition, and is operable to transmit downward movement and rotation in a right hand direction when in a fully collapsed or retracted condition. When the connecting means il. is in an intermediate position, that is, with its piston 'l5 spaced between the guide 63 and the coupling member 62, the means allows free turning of the means II relative to the cutting means i0.

In the operation of the tool, the tool is first assembled as illustrated in the drawings and is secured to the lower end of the string S. The tool is run into the well W on the string S with the parts of the cutting means IG and the gripping means II in the retracted conditions illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The device or tool is lowered to a position where the cutting means I is in the object O and is in position to make a out. As illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings the section 5I) and the connecting means I2 may be of such length that the gripping means ii is above the object O when the cutting means IG is in position to make a cut, although this rclationship of parts is not essential.

With the cutting means I Il in position for a out the string S is turned to the right. With the connecting means I2 extended as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings the splines El cooperate with the grooves B6 to transmit the rotation from the mandrel 5S to the tube 59, the section 50 and the body I 3. In the event the means I2 is in its contracted condition the shoulders l!) and 'I3 cooperate for the transmission of the right hand rotation. This right hand rotation unthreads the boss 3l from the socket 3U. Right hand rotation of the string S to control and operate the cutting means lil does not affect the gripping means II and the lugs 5I remain at the upper ends of the threads 5G. The string S is then lowered or allowed to settle and the right hand rotation of the string is continued. When the string S is lowered the weight of the body I3, the section GG, the tube 55,* and the parts connected therewith may cause the body I 3 to move downwardly. The springs 29 resist downward movement of the slips 23 and the inclined faces 24 on the downwardly moving body I3 actuate the slips outwardly into gripping cooperation with the interior of the object O. With the slips 23 actuated, the body i3, the section 50 and the tube 59 are held against downward movement by the engagement of the slips 23 with the object, and the string S may continue to move downwardly to a position where the shoulders 'IG of the mandrel head 5B cooperate with the shoulders '.'3 of the lugs I2. The cooperation of the shoulders l0 and 'i3 transmits the right hand rotation to the assembly of the tube 553, the section 6D and the body I3. The weight of the body I3, section 60, tube 59 and the associated parts may be sufficient to feed the knives I'I outwardly or if necessary the weight of the string S may be imposed on the tube 59 to effect the actuation of the knives il by downward movement of the knives relative to the cage I8, the cage being held against such movement by the slips 23. The knives I'I feed outwardly in this manner and, carried by the rotating body I3, make the annular cut C in the object O.

When the knives Il have cut through the wall of the object O the string S is raised and turned to the left. The upward movement of the string S moves the mandrel 56 upwardly relative to the tube 59, separates the head 653 and the sleeve 'I5 from the clutch lugs 'I2 on the guide 53 and brings the splines 6l into cooperation with the grooves 66. The piston 65 may cooperate with the lower end of the guide 63 to transmit upward movement to the tube 59, the section @d and the body i3 and this upward movement of the body i3 releases or retracts the slips 23 and brings the cess 3I up to the socket Sii. The left hand rotation of the body I3 threads the boss SI into the socket 3!! so that the cutting means ill is restored to its original retracted or inactive condition. Rotation of the string S to the left when an up strain is maintained on the string as just described, does not affect the gripping means il as the lugs I and the shoulders 53 remain in cooperation and the lugs do not pass over the projections 54. Or if the gripping means Ii is above the object O as illustrated in Fig. l., the tailpiece springs 49 do not resist rotation of the sleeve 48 and no relative movement or turning occurs between the lugs 5I and the threads 56. Furthermore, when the means i9 is above the object O its slips 4B cannot obtain a grip on the large diametered well casing or the well wall.

The string S may then be lowered to enter the gripping means l into the portion of the object O freed by the out C. With the gripping means II in the selected position in the freed portion of the object O the string S is moved downwardly and turned to the left. The springs 9 resist downward movement of the lugs iii so that the projections 54 are moved out of the path of the lugs. The rotation of the string S and body 36 to the left brings the threads 5B into cooperation with the lugs 5i and the threads operate to feed or thread the lugs 5I and the tailpiece sleeve 4S downwardly. Downward movement of the tailpiece sleeve 48 is accompanied by downward movement of the slips 40 and the slips are actuated outward by the inclined faces 39 into gripping engagement with the interior ofthe object O.

When the slips 4i? have been set or actuated the string S may be pulled from the well to recover the cut-free portion of the object O. In the event that the cut-free portion of the object O is stuck or sanded in the well and cannot be pulled from the well or if for any other reason it is desired to make another out in the object O the string S may be lowered and turned to the right to release the gripping means il. Downward movement or downward movement and right hand rotation of the string S causes the threads 5E to cooperate with the lugs 5I to thread or feed the tailpiece sleeve 43 and the slips d@ upwardly. This upward movement of the slips de retracts or releases the slips. The string S may then be raised or brought to the position where it is desired to make the second cut in the object O and the above operations may be repeated.

If for any reason the lowering of the string S and the right hand turning of the string S to release the slips iii o the means II, preparatory to a second out, should fail to retract the slips 49 and should cause unthreading of the boss 3| from the socket Sii downward movement and the right hand turning of the string S may be continued. rlhe engagement of the slips 23 with the object O will arrest downward movement of the tube 55, the section 6@ and the body I3 and the knives Il may engage the object to resist turning of the body i3, section 6B and tube 59. The above manipulation of the string S therefore brings the clutch shoulders or walls 83 into cooperation with the shoulders of the lugs 12. This relationship of the elements is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The cooperation of the clutch walls with the clutch shoulders i3 holds the tailpiece sleeve 48 against turning and the above-mentioned right hand rotation oi the string S causes the threads 59 to cooperate with the lugs 5! to thread or feed the tailpieoe sleeve 48 upwardly to retract or release the slips 4i). Thus the connecting means I2 assures the positive retraction of the gripping slips 4d in the event that the same are not or cannot be retracted by the normal operation of the tool. During the right hand rotation of the string S to eiect the retraction of the slips 40 while the walls 33 cooperate with the clutch shoulders i3 the clutch shoulders TIB turn and move downwardly, ultimately coming into engagement with the shoulders i3. rlhe engagement of the shoulders lil with the shoulders 'I3 occurs when the slips di) have been freed or retracted from the object O` and serves to limit relative turning between the body Bt and the tailpiece sleeve 48. The gripping means ii is always capable of downward movement in the object O and if desired the tool may be lowered to bring the nut I4 against the bottom of the well. With the nut in engagement with the bottom of the well W the downward movement of the tube 59 is stopped and its turning is resisted so that the above described procedure results in cooperation of the shoulder i3 and the wall 23 and the means II is releasable in the manner just described. Following the release of the slips d the tool may be raised, then manipulated and controlled as described above to make another cut in the object O.

It will be understood that 'the tool provided by the invention is operable to make a plurality of vertically spaced cuts C in the object O to provide for the ready removal ci the cut-free portions of the object from the well. If it is found that a plurality of cut-free lengths of the object O are loose and capable of being removed from the well the gripping means I I may be run into the lowermost loose portion and actuated to grip the same. The string S may then be pulled from the well to recover the plurality of cut-free portions of the object G. Throughout the operation of the tool or during any part of the operation of the tool circulation uid may be pumped downwardly through the string S to flow through the opening 55, the opening 58 in the mandrel 5G, the tube 59, the section Eil and the opening 9 in the body I3 to discharge from the lower end of the nut I4. The fluid may be employed to prevent sanding up of the tool and ilushing of the knives Il and may be employed to assist in freeing the object O from the accumulation of sand in the well.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A tool useful in removing tubular objects from wells comprising an expansible normally contracted cutting means conditioned for expansion by rotation and expanded by axial movement to make a cut through the wall of a tubular object in a well when rotated in said object, a gripping means controlled by axial movement and turning movement to grip the .said object above the cut made by the cutting means, an operating stringr connected with one of said means, and a connecting means connecting the cutting means and the gripping means and spacing the cutting means a substantial distance be low the gripping means.

2. A tool useful in removing tubular objects from wells comprising a normally contracted cutting means conditioned for expansion by rotation and expanded by axial movement to make a transverse cut through the wall of a tubular object in a well when rotated in said object, gripping means operable by axial movement and turning movement to grip said object above the cut made by the cutting means, an operating string connected with the cutting means to operate the same, and a slack connection between the gripping means and the cutting means operable to transmit rotation whereby the cutting means is operable by manipulation of the string.

3. A tool useful in removing tubular objects from wells comprising a cutting means conditioned for operation by the application of turning movement in one direction and operable by such turning movement and axial movement to cut transversely through the wall of a tubular object in a well, gripping means conditioned for operation by the application of axial force and operable by such force and a turning force in a direction opposite to said turning movement to grip the object above said cut, an operating string connected with said gripping means and manipulable to apply said forces to the same, and a slack connection between the gripping means and the cutting means operable to transmit turning movement whereby the cutting means is controllable and operable by the string through the medium of the gripping means.

4. In combination, a cutting means adapted to be entered in a tubular object in a well and comprising a body, a cutting element carried by the body to cut through the wall of the tubular object by rotation of the body, and a control for the cutting element releasable by turning of the body in one direction and axial movement of the body to condition the cutting element for operation, a gripping means adapted to be entered in said object and comprising a body, gripping elements carried by the last mentioned body and a control for the gripping elements operable by turning movement of said last mentioned body in a direction opposite to said turning of the first mentioned body to actuate the slips into gripping engagement with the object, a string connected with said last mentioned body for manipulating and operating the gripping means, and a slack connection between said bodies op erable when in the contracted condition to tran..N mit rotation whereby the cutting means is controllable and operable by the said string.

5. In combination, a cutting means adapted to be entered in a tubular object in a well and comprising a body, a cutting element carried by the body to cut through the wall of the tubular object by rotation of the body, and a control for the cutting element releasable by turning of the body in one direction and axial movement of the body to condition the cutting element for operation, a gripping means adapted to be entered in said object and comprising a body, gripping elements carried by the last mentioned body and a control for the grippingl elements including a tailpiece shiftably supported on said last mentioned body and operatively associated with the gripping elements, the tailpiece having parts cooperating with the object to yieldingly hold it against movement, and means operable by turning oi the said last mentioned body in a direction of rotation and with respect to the tailpiece to move the tailpiece to actuate the slipsJ gripping cooperation with the object, a string connected with the said last mentioned body to operate the same, and a slack connection between said bodies operable when in the contracted condition to transmit rotation and having means for holding said tailpiccc against turning whereby turning of the string in the rst mentioned direction releases the gripping elements.

6. in apparatus oi' the character described a 'well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and includingr a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a taiipiece shiftable on the body to expand and contract the gripping elements,

thread means for effecting sluiting of the tail-4 piece upon rotation of the body, and a control device comprising two relatively longitudinally shiftable members, one member being secured to the body, and clutch parts on the other member and the taiipiece engageable upon contraction of the members to hold the tailpiece against turning whereby the string may be rotated to actuate the thread means to retract the gripping elements.

7. In apparatus or" the character described a wel?. string, a gripping tool adapted to bc run into a tubular object in well and including body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shiftable on the body to expand and contract the gripping elements, thread means for effecting the shifting of the tailpiece upon ron tation oi the body, and a control device comprise ing two relatively longitudinally shiftable members, one member being secured to the body, clutch parts on the other member and tailpiece cooperable upon contraction of the members to hold the tailpiece against turning movement whereby the string may be rotated to actuate the thread means to retract the gripping elements, and rotation transmitting means on said members cooperable when the members are con-- tracted, and a cutting tool carried by said other member operable by rotation to act 'transversely through the wall of the said object,

8. In apparatus of the character described a well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and including a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shiftable on the body to expand and contract the gripping elements, thread means tor eiecting the shifting of the tailpiece upon rotation of the body, and a control device comprising two relatively longitudinally sbiitable members, one member being secured to the body, clutch parts on the other member and tailpiece cooperable upon contraction of the members to hold the tailpiece against turning movement whereby the string may be rotated to actuate the thread means to retract the gripping elements, and rotation transmitting means on said members cooperable when the members are contracted, and a cutting tool carried by said other member operable by rotation to act transversely through the wall of the said object, said cutting tool comprising means for gripping the said object operable by axial movement o1" the cutting tool.

9. In apparatus oi the character described a well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and including a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shirtable on the body to expand and contract the gripping elements, thread means for eiecting the shifting of the tailpiece upon rotation of the body, and a control device comprising two relatively longitudinally shiitable members, one member being secured to the body, clutch parts on the other member and tailpiece cooperable upon contraction of the members to hold the tailpiece against turning movement whereby the string may be rotated to actuate the thread means to retract the gripping elements, and rotation transmitting means on said members cooperable when the members are contracted, and a cutting tool carried by said other member operable by rotation to act transversely through the wall of the said object, said cutting tool comprising a body connected to said other member, cutting elements on the last mentioned body operable by rotation to cut through the wall oi" the object, a control for the cutting elements including object gripping means operable by axial movement of the said last mentioned body.

i0. In apparatus of the character described a well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and including a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shiftable on the body to expand and contract the gripping elements, thread means for effecting shifting of the tailpiece upon rotation of the body, and a control device comprising two relatively longitudinally shiftable members, one member' being secured to the body, means carried by the other memberI for engaging the said object to resist movement of said other member, rotation transmitting means on the member cooperable when the members are in contracted positions with relation to one another, and stop parts in said other member and the tailpiece cooperable when the members are thus contracted to hold the tailpiece against turning whereby the string may be turned to retract the gripping elements.

11. In apparatus of the character described a well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and including a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shiftable on the body to control the gripping elements and frictionally engaging said object, thread means operable to shift the tailpiece to cause actuation or allow retraction of the gripping elements upon turning of the body relative to the tailpiece, two telescopically related relatively shiftable and turnable members, one member connected to the body, means carried by the said other member and cooperable with the said object to hold the said other member against downward movement, and stop parts on the tailpiece and said other member cooperable when the members are in contracted positions with relation to one another to hold the tailpiece against turning whereby turning of the body causes the thread means to shift the tailpiece and thus allow retraction of the gripping elements.

l2. In apparatus of the character described a well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and including a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shiftable on the body to control the gripping elements and frictionally engaging said object, thread means operable to shift the tailpiece to cause actuation or allow retraction of the vgripping elements upon turning of the body relative to the tailpiece, two telescopically related relatively shiftable and turnable members, one member connected to the body, the other member extending downwardly from the rst member, spline means on the members cooperable when the members are in the contracted condition, means carried by the said other member and cooperable with the said object to hold said other member against downward movement, and stop parts on the tailpiece and said other member cooperable when the members are in said contracted condition to hold the tailpiece against turning whereby turning of the body actuates the thread means to move the. tailpiece axially with respect to the body to allow retraction of the gripping elements.

13. In apparatus of the character described a well string, a gripping tool adapted to be run into a tubular object in a well and including a body secured to the string, elements for gripping the object, a tailpiece shiftable on the body to control the gripping elements and frictionally engaging said object, thread means operable to shift the tailpiece to cause actuation or allo-W retraction of the gripping elements upon turning of the body relative to the tailpiece, two telescopically related relatively shiftably and turnable members, one member connected to the body, the other member extending downwardly from the first member, spline means on the members cooperable when the members are in the contracted condition, means carried by the said other member and Cooperable with the said object to hold said other member against downward movement, and stop parts on the tailpiece and said other member cooperable when the members are in said contracted condition to hold the tailpiece against turning whereby turning of the body actuates the thread means to move the tailpiece axially with respect to the body to allow retraction of the gripping elements, and stop parts on the members operate to limit turning between the members when the tailpiece reaches a posi- 

